Other laws affecting dogs

The Breeding of Dogs Act 1991 and The Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999 cover England, Wales and Scotland. 

Under these Acts: 

• It is an offence for a bitch to be mated if she is less than one year old.

• Breeding is restricted to no more than six litters in a lifetime and no more than one litter per year.

• The breeder must keep accurate breeding records and puppies must wear a visible means of identity.

• Puppies cannot be sold by a licensed breeder to their final home until they are at least eight weeks old.

• If the breeder produces more than five litters per year for sale then they are legally obliged to acquire a licence (obtained from the Local Authority). Before the licence can be granted, the premises must be inspected by a Vet and a Local Authority Officer.

• It is an offence for a licensed breeder to sell puppies to an unlicensed dealer or retailer, or to sell on puppies acquired from an unlicensed
breeder.

Anyone found to be in breach of these Acts may be fined or face a prison sentence.

Although this legislation is in place the indiscriminate, mass breeding of dogs in establishments where profit is more important than welfare is still happening in the UK today.  This has long been a major concern to Dogs Trust.  We campaigned for many years to bring the extent of the puppy farming trade and the suffering attached to it to the attention of the Government.  We have also done our best to draw public attention to the issue, advising prospective owners that puppy farms are not the best place to buy a dog.

To download our booklet on puppy farming click here (opens new browser window)